A Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Survey of Water and Sanitation in Swaziland.

Green, Edward C.

The terms of agreement of the Rural Water-Borne Disease Control Project called for a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) study relating to water and sanitation in rural Swaziland. The purpose of the study was to provide: (1) baseline data for the design of a national health education strategy aimed at reducing the incidence of water-borne diseases; (2) guidance for the sanitation and public health of the engineering components of the project; and (3) baseline data for any future evaluations or related research. The study is presented in eight sections: methodology; characteristics of respondents; water (water access, attitudes about water, boiling of water, water transport and storage, swimming/bathing); sanitation and hygiene (latrine coverage and characteristics, labor and motivation in latrine construction, personal hygiene, sanitation constraints); infant feeding practices (breast feeding, water and feeding, weaning age); knowledge of water- and sanitation-related disease (bilharzia, cholera, infant diarrhea, major health problems); analysis of data; and summary and recommendations. The last section focuses on health education targets and behavior change related to water, sanitation, hygiene, and infant nutrition. Strategies for health education and a general approach to health education are discussed. (Author/JN)